Bascule bridge



I May 28, 1929. J, B, s'TRAUss 1,714,699

BASCULE BRIDGE Filed Sept. 3, 1925 ZVShBGS-Sheet 2 550k @f/:m55 75j @m4 wm-L.. @E

Patented May 28, 1929.

UNITED stares JosEPH'n sfrnsuss, OF'CHICAGO, LLInoIs.v

lBassum-1 Beinen."V y

Application filed September This invention relates to bascule bridges and has for its object to provide a new and improved device of this description. The invention has a further object to provide a bascule bridge'that can be opened substantially 90; that is, wherein the span can be moved to a substantially vertical position when opened. jects which are more particularly pointed out in the accompanying description.

Referring now to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side View showing one form of device embodying lthe invention.

Fig. 2 is a view takenl on line 2 2 of Fig. l. Y

Fig. 3 is a plan view. a

Like numerals refer to llike parts throughout the several figures. Referring to the drawings I have shown a main span having trusses 1a and 1b at opposite sides thereof which project abovev the Hoor 1c of the bridge, mounted upon trunnions 2, the trunnions being mounted upon the trunnion supports 3 and 4f. Projecting above the trunnions 2 are the fixed parts 5 and 6 which preferably form a part of the outside trunnion posts. A counterweight 7 is provided for the main span, preferably of concrete. At the sides of the counterweight are the single posts 8 and 9 upon which it is supported. These posts or supports project eccentrically from the counterweight as illustrated in Fig. 1. These supports or posts have at their lower ends projecting parts 10 and 11a which are pivotally connected to the rear or tail end of the main span. The projecting part 10; for example, is pivoted at 11 to the rearwardly projecting part 12 of the main span. The pivotal connections between the counterweight and the main span are in the same vertical plane as the center of gravity 13 of the counterweight. The upper end of the counterweight 7 is connected to the upwardly projecting iixed parts 5 and 6 by means of links 14, one pivoted to each of the fixed parts. These links have their other ends pivoted eccentrically at 15 to the counterweight. The pivotal connection of these links to the counterweight is in aligment with the supports or posts 8 and 9. The counterweight is preferably formed at the top so that this may be done. The main span is raised and lowered by means of the rack 16. and the pinion 17, said pinion being connected with some suitable source of power. When the The invention has other obe, 1925. serial No. 54,195.5-

inain span is lowered it is in the position shown in fullA lines in Fig. 1. When it is desiredv to open the bridge the pinion 17 is rotatedand this pinion, by engagement with the rack 16, causes the main span to be lifted to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. It will be noted that the main span in this position has opened substantially90o and is substantially vert-ical. It will further be noted Athat the counterweight-when the bridge is open projects inubetween the trusses of thek main span. The width of this counterweight is such as to permit this.

VThe keccentric method of supporting the of the bridge and will permit the main span to be moved to a vertical osition. It will be seen that a portion of t e counterweight and the main span above the trunnions are in the same vertical plane when the bridge is open; that is, the main span and the counter-l weight overlap.

` l claim: l

1. A bridge comprising a main span, trunnions upon which it is mounted, a counterweight, means projecting eccentrically and vertically from the lrear bottom portion of said counterweight for connecting it with the main span, a fixed part projecting above the main span and a link connection from said fixed part to said counterweight.

2. A bridge comprising a main span, trunnions upon which it is mounted, a counterweight located above the main span when said span is closed, a connecting member projectingv eccentrically from said counterweight, and pivotally` connected with said main span, said connecting member having the portion thereof which is connectedlwith the main span, in the vertical plane extending through the center of gravity of said counterweight.Y

A bridge comprising a movably mountcounterweight, and a pivotal connection be tween said projecting part and said main span.

4. A bridge comprising a main span, trunnions upon which itis supported, a counterweight for said main span, a support eccentrically connected with said counterweight at the side farthest from said trunnions, a projecting part at the bottom of said support extending under the center of gravity of the counterweight, and a pivotal oonnection between said projecting partV and said mainvspan, said pivotal connection being llocated in t-he saine vertical plane as the center oigravitj7 of said counterweight 5. A bridge comprising a inain span, trunnions upon which it is supported, a counterweight for said main span, a support eccentrically connected with said counterweight at the side farthest from said trunnions, a 'projecting part at the bottom of said support extending under the center of gravity of the counterweight and a pivotal connection between said projecting part and said main span, said pivotal connection being located in the saine vertical plane as the center of gravity of said counterweight, a fixed part extending above said trunnions and a link pivotally connected with said fixed part and said counterWeight.

6. A bridge comprising a main span, trunnions upon which it is supported, a counterweight for said niain span, a support eccentrically connected with said counterweiglit at the side farthest from said trun` nions, a projecting part at the bottoni otl said support extending under the center of gravity of the counterweight and a pivotal connection between said projecting part and said inain span, said pivotal connection being located in the saine vertical plane as the center of gravity ot said counterweight, a iXed part vextending above said trunnions and a link pivotally connected With said liXed part and said counterweight, Said link pivoted'to said' counterweight eccentrically and in alignment with. said support.

Signed at Chicago county of Cook and State of Illinois, this 27th day of August, 1925. i

JOSEPH B. STRAUSS.- 

